Ayelet Shaked: From Minister to Controversial Figure




Ayelet Shaked, a former Israeli politician and Justice Minister, has been a polarizing figure in Israeli politics. Her conservative views and controversial statements have drawn both praise and criticism.

Shaked was born in 1976 in Tel Aviv, Israel. She studied law at Tel Aviv University and worked as a software engineer before entering politics. In 2013, she co-founded the right-wing New Right party, which merged with other parties to form the Yamina alliance. Shaked was elected to the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in 2015.

  • As Justice Minister from 2015 to 2019, Shaked oversaw reforms to the judicial system, including placing limits on the Supreme Court's power of judicial review.
  • She also supported a controversial law that prevented foreign nationals convicted of certain crimes from receiving Israeli citizenship.
  • These policies earned her a reputation as a conservative and assertive minister.

Shaked's views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have also raised eyebrows. She has advocated for a tougher stance towards the Palestinians, including increased settlement activity and the annexation of parts of the West Bank.

In recent years, Shaked has become increasingly critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Likud party. She helped orchestrate Netanyahu's ouster in 2021 and joined the new coalition government led by Naftali Bennett.

Despite her controversial views, Shaked remains a popular figure among many Israelis. Her supporters admire her intelligence, determination, and willingness to stand up for her beliefs. Her critics, however, accuse her of being divisive and intolerant.

As Shaked's career continues, she will undoubtedly remain a polarizing figure. Her supporters believe she is a strong and effective leader, while her critics see her as a danger to Israeli democracy.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Ayelet Shaked.